Apparatus for the automatic control of motion-picture-projecting machines



Feb. 25, 1930. E. F. ZIMMERMAN 1,743,199

APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIGCONTROL OF MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINES Filed May 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. F. ZIMMERMAN APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC (JON 1,748,199 TROL OF MOTION PICTURE PROJECTING MACHINES Filed May 17, 1926 2 SheetsSheet liyVENToR; i F Mme/mm,

AITORNEYS Patented Feb. 25, 1950 .UETE

ERNEST F. ZIMMERMAN, OF GARDEN GTQ' JE, CALZEQENEA, ASSIGIQ'OE 0E ONE-HALF TO 0. S. CBOUKSHANK, GT SANTA ANA, OALIFQENIA APPARATUS FOR THE AUTOMATIC CUNTROL MACE Application filed May 17,

This invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic control of motion picture projecting machines and relates more particularly to an apparatus for automatically controlling such motion picture projecting machines during the projection of motion picture films so as to control the operation of such projecting machines which are usually employed in pairs so as to automatically complete an electric circuit to one of the said projecting, machines when the reel of him has been run through or to a predetermined point in the. other of said projecting machines and to break the circuit to the motor driving the latter said projecting machine and also for controlling a dowscr which is provided for automatically positioning or removing a light obstructing disc in the path of the light rays which are projected into the projecting machine ano through the film carried therein to project the picture carried by the film onto the screen of the theatre.

in the projection of motion pictures from reels of film employing the projecting machine, as is customarily constructed, the reels of film being of necessarily limited length, contain only a portion of the picture or play which it is desired to project. it is therefore customary to employ two such projecting machines so that when one reel of film has been projected in one machine, the operation of that machine may be interrupted and the second projecting machine set in operation to project the next reel of the film or play automatically so as not to cause an interruption which is perceptible upon the screen or the motion picture theatre. The shitting from one projecting machine to the other is a diilicult operation and often imperfectly effected.

It is therefore an object oi this in tion to previoe automatic means for cha ging from one reel of a motion picture iilm play to another reel, which means operate entirely automatically and are controlled by the unwinding of the film tape from the stocl; reels of the respective )rojecting machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stock reel having means mounted there-- in, adapted to actuate an electric switch which is mounted in an electric circuit -for the auto- IVIGTIOHPICTURE-PROJECTI1\TG- INES 1925. Serial No. 109,534.

matic control of such motion picture machines at predetermined points or" projection of such stock reels or the unwinding therefrom of the said film tape.

Another object or" this invention is to provide simple and elilcient means adapted to be mounted in the electric circuit of the said film projecting machine for controlling the projection of light through the film tape which is run through the projecting machines.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description o l a preferred embodiment thereoi as illustrated in the accompanyin;- drawings, in which drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a film projecting' ma chine illustrating an automatic control embodyingthis invention as connected thereto.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the mechanical dowser for controlling the projection of light from the light source to the film tape embodied in this invention.

Figure 3 is a front elevation 01" a pair or" motion p'cture projecting machines illustrating' the same as embodied with automatic control mechanisms embodying this invention.

Figure l is a central sectional side elevation of the dowser control means embodying this invention and taken substantially on the line ll of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a trag mental sectional edge elevation of a film stock reel illustrating the switch actuating means embodied in this invention sccurct thereto and as held in position by means of the film tape wound thereon.

Figura irag'mental side elevation thereoi illustratin the adjustable slide mechanism provided for the switch actuating means illustrated in Figure l.

Figure I is an enlarged detailed trout elevation of the lightcontrol mechanism embodying this invention.

Figure 8 is a fragmental sectional side elevation of the stock reel housing illustrating one form of electrical switch carried t iereby which is adapted to he actuated by the switch actuated m ans carried by the stock reel.

Figure 9 is a tragmental side elevation of a saf ty switch embodied in this invention.

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view partly in central section, illustrating the automatic means provided for actuating the dowsers and buzzers embodied in this invention.

Figure 11 is a diagram of electrical connections.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmental view of the reel mechanism taken substantially on the line 1212 of Figure 6.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 1 and 2 illustrate film projecting machines which may be of any desired or preferred constructions and which form of projecting machines include a light projecting mechanism 3, adapted to project light through a photographic film tape 4 as the same is driven through the film tape driving mechanism 5 of the said film projecting machine 1. The film tape 4; is wound upon a stock reel 6 and is fed from the stock reel 6 through the driving mechanism 5 and rewound upon a takeup reel mounted in the case 7. The film driving mechanism 5 of the projecting means 1 may be of any suitable or desirable construction as is well understood in the art, and which in themselves form no part of this invention.

Means are provided for controlling the admission or projection of the light from the light projecting mechanisms 3 through the film tape at as the same is driven through the driving mechanism 5 and which means are adapted to be actuated at a predetermined point of rotation of the stock reel 6 of the pro j ecting machine from which the play is being projected at any particular moment and at a predetermined point of the last of the film tape wound upon the said stock reel 6 which means are preferably of the following construction Formed in one side of the flange or disc 8 of the stock reel is a slot 9 through which slot 9 an arm 10 is adapted to be projected transversely across the stock reel 6 so as to fit between the rolls of the film tape 4 as the same is wound upon the reel 6. The arm 10 is supported in a slide 11, which slide 11 is adapted to slide in guides 12 which are secured to the disc 8 so as to permit the positioning of the arm 10 at any desired point of the film tape 4. The arm 10 is pivotally secured at a pin 13 in the slide 11 and has a right angle extension 14 which normally lies close to the disc 8 and which is spring pressed outwardly by the spring 8 so that when the film tape 4 is unwound from the stock reel 6 to a predetermined point and the last roll of film tape 4 passes over the arm 10, the spring means will operate to rotate the arms 10 and 14 so as to carry the arm 10 upward into the slot 9 and to cause the arm 14 to project out- Ward from the disc 8 into a position to engage the actuating lever 15 of a switch 16. The switch 16 is mounted in the electric circuit which connects the motor 17 which drives the film driving mechanism 5 so that at such predetermined point, the switch 15 will be opened to stop the motor 17 and hence the driving of the film tape 1 from the stock reel 6. The switch 16 may be of any desirable or suitable construction and is herein illustrated as comprising the actuating arm 15 which is pivotally supported at a pin 17 in a closure 18 and carries contacts 19 and 20 on the insulated plate 21, which contacts 19 and 20 are adapted to engage the contacts and respectively, which are mounted in series in the electric circuit as will hereinafter be described.

Spring means 2 1 are provided for holding the contact arm 15 in position to maintain the switch 16 in contact after the contact arm 15 has been actuated by the extension 1 carried by the stock reel 6.

Means are provided for automatically actuating the dowsers 60 and (31 when the film tape t breaks, which means preferably comprise a casting 25 which is mounted on the top 01 the casing '7, and which casting 25 carries rollers 26 and a roller 27 between which rollers 26 and the roller 27, the film tape a is threaded. The rollers 26 are journaled on pins 28 in. tationary position in the casting The roller 27 is journaled on a pin 28 which is mounted within a slot 29 formed in the casting The pin 28 is mounted in the slot- 29 in a slide which has a projecting stud 31 extending outward thereii'rom longitudinally of the slot 29. The tension spring 32 is mounted in the casting in the slot 29 and is secured at one end to the casting 25 as illustrated at 33 and at its opposite end is secured to the stud 31 which extends from the slide 30.

The spring 32 operates to yieldably urge the roller 27 toward the right as viewed in Figure 9, so that when the end of the film tape at has passed from over the roller 27. the roller 27 will travel to the right and will actuate a switch pole 3a which is secured to the outer end of the stud 81 at a pin 35 which is mounted in a slot 36 formed in the end of the said stud 31. The switch pole 34; is pivotally supported at a pin 37 which is secured to the casting 25. The pole 34 of the switch is connected in series in an electric circuit with the motor 17. A contact 38 is mounted on the casting 25 in position to can gage the contact carried by the pole The contact 88 is insulated from the casting 25 at an insulated base 39.

Means are provided for actuating the dowsers 410 and 1 or the n'ojecting machines 1 and 2, respectively, when it is desired to stop the projection of light from the light projecting mechanism Elthrough the tihn tape t which is being driven through the respective film drive mechanisn'i ot the projecting machines 1 and 2, and which means are preferably designed to operate so as to permit the projection of light through the projecting machine 1, the motor of which may have just been set into operation after the motor has had sufi icient time to attain its running speed and for intercepting or arresting the projection of the light from the light mechanism 3 of the opposite projecting machine 2 after the motor 17 of this projecting machine has stopped, which means are preferably of the following construction: The cores 44 of each solenoid 4:2 and 43 are rigidly secured to a connecting rod 45 which carries a contact 46 and projects through a stufling-box 47 into an oil dash-pot 48 which has formed at its end a plunger 49 which is adapted to be released in the oil dash-pot 48. The dash-pot 48 comprises a cylinder 50 which is plugged at one end by a plug 51 so as to permit regulation of the operation of the oil dash-pot and the filling of the same with oil or the desired liquid or solution. The plunger 49 has a pair of oppositely positioned ports 52 and 53 formed therein which are connected together by means of a transverse communicating port 54. A needle 55 is screw-threaded in the plunger 49 and is adapted to seat on a seat 56 formed in the plunger 49 so as to regulate the communication between the ports 52 and 53 which is established by the transverse port 54 thereby regulating the time of operation of the dashpot 48.

A contact 57 is provided which is secured in position so as to be engaged by the contact 46 which is carried by the connecting rod 45 during the reciprocation of the rod 45.

The contacts 46 and 57 are connected in series in the electric circuit which controls the operation of the dowsers 40 and 41. The contact obtained by the passing of the contact 46 over the contact 57 is suflicient to establish an electrical connection to energize the solenoids 58 and 59 of the dowsers 40 and 41, respectively, so that both of the said dowsers will be actuated to rotate the discs 60 and 61, respectively, to so form the light obstructing position as will hereinafter be described.

The contact 46 is also connected with a buzzer signal or an indicating device 62 so that during the operation of the dowsers 40 and 41, or the change of operation of the projecting machines 1 and 2, a signal will be given to inform the operator thereof. The dowsers 40 and 41 are preferably the same and of the following construction, the construction of only one of which, say the dowser 40, will be described:

A solenoid 58 is provided with a core 63,,

which core 63 is pivotally secured to an arrow shaped actuating arm 64 at a pin 65. The solenoid 58 is mounted on a case 66 within which case 66 a shaft 67 is journaled in a bearing 68. The shaft 67 is secured within the case 66 to a disc 69, which disc 69 is secured by means of a pair of pins 70 to a second disc 71. The shaft 67 is at its opposite end secured to a collar 72 through which collar 72 and shaft 67 a rod 73 extends and is secured in position by any suitable means, such as a set-screw 74. The rod 73 is secured to the disc 60 at its outer end and is provided with a counter-balancing weight 75 at its opposite end. The disc 60 is adapted to be ro-- tated over the light directing tube or lens 76 through which the light is directed from the light projecting mechanism 3 to the film tape 4 for projecting the pictures carried by the film tape 4 onto the screen of the theatre. The case 66 is secured directly to this light directing tube 76 as will be apparent from Figure 2.

The actuating lever 64 which is carried by the core 63 or solenoid 58 is adapted to reciprocate the disc 60 to open the end of the light directing tube 76 and for this purpose is mounted between the discs 69 and 71 which are carried by the shaft 67 and between the pins 7 O which secure the disc 71 to the disc 69.

The arrow shaped actuating lever 64 is provided with a substantially arrow shaped head 77 which has inclined engaging faces 78 which are adapted to alternately engage the diametrically opposed pins 7 O. The shank of the actuating lever 64 is provided with cam faces 79 which are adapted to engage alternately the pins 7 0 so as to rotate the said actuating lever 64 to cause the same to rotate to the required position so that the engaging edge or face 78 will be in position to engage the proper pin 70.

Secured to the rear face of the disc 71 is a pin 80, which pin 80 is secured to one end of the tension spring 81, which is secured at its opposite end to the case 66 as illustrated at 82. The pin 80 is so located that when the discs 69 and 71 have been rotated, the pin 80 will be off-center in relation to the securing point 82 so as to rotate the discs 69 and 71 so as to maintain a pin 70 in engagement with the engaging face 78 of the head 77. By this means, each time that the solenoid 58 is energized by the contacting of the contacts 46 and 57, the actuating lever 64 will be pulled upward so as to rotate the discs 69 and 70 to rotate the shaft 67 to rotate the closure disc 60 either to or from the light obstructing position. A stop 83 is formed within the case 66 so as to engage the projecting ends 84 of the pins 70 so as to stop the rotation of the shaft 67 in the required position to exactly center the light obstructing disc 60 over the light directing tube 76.

Referring to the diagram of electrical connections illustrated in Figure 11, 85 illustrates an electric current generator which is grounded as illustrated at 86 to the projecting machines 1 and 2. The opposite current lead 87 is connected in series through the switches 16 of the projecting machines 1 and 2, from one of which switches 15 the lead 87 is connected through a lead 88 through the switch 89 as heretofore described and illustrated in Figure 9 with the motor 17 of the projecting machine The motor .li' grounded to the frame of the orojecting machine 2. The lead 88 is connected through a conduit 91 with the solenoid $3 of the projecting machine 2. The solenoid t3 and also the solenoid 42 are grounded to the frames of the respective projecting machines 1 and :2. The generator 85 is connected with the contacts 57 by means of conduits 92 which connect with the conduit 88. The contacts 4-6. which are carried by the connecting rods 45, are connected through conduits 93 with a con duit 90 which is connected in parallel with the solenoids 58 and 59, which solenoids 5S and 59 are likewise grounded to the frames of the projecting machines 1 and 2 rcspec ly. The switch 16 of the projecting machine 2 is connected through the lead 9% and through the switch 95 which is of the san'se construction as the switch S9 with the motor 17 of the projecting machine 1. A conduit 96 connects a motor with the solenoid the projecting machine 1. The opera tion oi. this control device is substantially as fol lows:

Assuming that the projecting machine 2 is in operation with its motor 1? running to drive the film drive mechanism 5 and with the disc 60 thereof illustrated in the p-osi tion shown in Figure 3, the film drive unit 5 continues to drive the film from the stock reel 6 until the last roll thereof passes from oil the bar 10 which then swings upward into the slot 9 so as to permit the extension 1-1 to extend laterally from the disc 8 of the stock reel 6 so as to engage the contact lever 15 of the switch 16 to close the switch 16. The closing of the s\ *itch 16 completes the cal circuit to the motor 17 of the projecting machine 2, setting the said motor 1'? into operation. The completing of this circuit to the motor 17 energizes the solenoid .13 which causes the connecting rod 415 to be moved to contact the contact 16 with the contact ii? which then energizes the solenoit s and it) to actuate the 'dowsers 40 and 41 to rotate the disc 61 of the dowscr 11 from the position shown in Figure 11 to the position to obstruct the light from the light projecting mechanism 3. The disc 60 of the solenoid 10 at the same time, rotated from the light obstructing position, as shown in Figure 11, to the same position as the disc 61 is illustrated as occupying so as to permit the light to pass from the lightprojecting machine 3 through the film tape 4: of the projecting machine 1. Should the film tape break, either one of the switches 89 or 95 is closed so that the dowscrs 40 and 41 are actuated to rotate the discs 69 or 61 to the light obstructing position, de-

pending upon which projecting machine 1 or 2 is in operation. If desired, manual switches 98 may be mounted in the'circuits with the switches 89 and 95 so as to break the said circuit and render the switches 89 and 95 n(n1-opcrative. This being particularly desirous when the end of the lilm tape 1, which is wound upon the stock reel (5, has been unwound in the projecting machine and the other projecting machine is running to projectthe picture.

The operation just described. is reversed, wh n the film, carried by the stock reel 6 of the projecting machine 1, has been run out to project the portion of the picture carried an i a new stock reel has been inserted in the use 7 of the n'ojccting machine 2.

Having fully described a preferred cmbodimcnt of this invention, it to be understood that I do not vish to be limited to the let details herein set forth which may obviouriily be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth. in the up; ended claims.

I claim:

1. The conmination of a film projecting iachine with a. light dowser comprising a 'uht oh-;tructiT a1" disc, an arm secured to said (3, an actuating shaft to one end of which is secured said arm, a pair of discs secured in spaced rclatitm by means of operating pins l secured to the other end of said actuatan actuating lever intermediate of said discs and arranged to alternately and operatively engage said operating pins, means for yieldably holding said discs in either of two set positions, an electric solenoid, an actuating plunger for said solenoid, means for operznivcly connecting said actuating lever to said solenoid plunger, and means for interniittein'gly energizing the solenoid so as to intermit tently actuate the said arm to rotate the said disc to and from the. light obstructing position.

2. The combi: ation of a film projecting machine with a light dowser comprising a. casing having a cylindrical portion for suitably mouuting same on said projecting machine and having bearing, an operating shaft jouri aled in said casing bearing an arm suitably secured to one end of said shaft a dowser disc carried by said arm. a pair of actuating discs held in spaced relation by means of two diametrically opposed operating pins and secured to the other end of said operating shaft, an actuating lever intermediate of said discs and arranged to alternately and opcratively engage said operating pins, a stop. means to limit the rotation of said pair of discs, means for yieldably holding said pair of discs in either of two set positions and against said stop, an electric solenoid mounted on said casing, an operating plunger for said solenoid, means for operatively connecting said actuating lever to said plunger,

and means for intermittently energizing the solenoid so as to intermittently actuate the said actuating arm whereby the dowser disc is rotated to and from the light obstructing position.

3. The combination of a film proj cting machine with a light dowser coinpri casing having a cylindrical portion for airtably mounting same on said projecting machine and having a bearing, an operati shaft .journaled in said bearing, a snital'ue arm secured to one end of said shaft, a (l?\Y-- er disc carried by said arm. a pair actuating discs held in spaced relation by means of two diametrically opposed operating pins and secured to the other end of said operating shaft, an actuating lever intermediate of said discs having on each sine of its lower end a projecting inclined surface for alternately and operatively engaging said operating pins and on each side near its upper end an inclined cam surface positioned to be alternately contacted by said operating pins and having its lower end substantially pointed, a stop means suitably positioned in said casing against which extended portions of said operating pins contact, means for yieldably holding either of said operating pins against said stop, an electric solenoid mounted on said casing, an operating plunger for said solenoid, means for operatively connecting said actuating lever to said plunger, and means for energizing the solenoid so as to actuate said mechanism whereby the light dowser disc is rotated to or from the light obstructing posit-ion.

4. The combination of a. film projecting machine with a light dowser comprising a casing having a cylindrical portion for suitably mounting same on said projecting machine and having a bearing, an operating shaft journaled in said bearing, a suitable arm secured to one end of said shaft, a dowser disc carried by said arm, a pair of act-uating discs held in spaced relation by means of two diametrically opposed operating pins and secured to the other end of said operating shaft, an actuating lever intermediate of said discs having on each side of its lower end a projecting inclined surface for alternately and operatively engaging said operating pins and on each side near its upper end an inclined cam surface positioned to be alternately contacted by said operating pins and having its lower end substantially pointed, a stop means suitably positioned in said casing against which extended portions of said operating pins contact, means for yieldably holding either of said operating pins against said stop, an electric solenoid mounted on said casing, an operating plunger for said solenoid, and means for operatively connecting said actuating lever to said plunger.

5. The combination of a film projecting machine with a light dowser comprising a casing having means for mounting said casing on said projecting machine and having a bearing, an operating shaft journaled in said bearing, an arm suitably secured to one end of said shaft, a dowser disc carried by said arm, an actuating disc having two diametrically opposed operating pins and secured to the other end of said shaft, an actuating lever in operative relation with said actuating disc and arranged to alternately and operatively engage said pins, means for yield-ably holding said actuating disc in eithe of two positions, an electric solenoid mounted on said casing, an operating plunger for said solenoid, means for operatively connecting said actuating lever to said plunger, and means for energizing the solenoid so as to actuate said mechanism whereby the light dowser disc is rotated to or from the light obstructing position.

Signed at Santa Ana, Calif, this 5th day of May, 1926.

ERNEST F. ZIMMERMAN. 

